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Of course, all concerned at the club envisage the team moving forwards but there are so many variables that can affect even the best laid plans.

Injuries can cause serious shortfalls in specialist skills and when coupled with the withdrawal of key players for international games, even the most extensive squads can come under pressure.

Other teams are not standing still and every year the completion becomes more intense as new players come in and younger players mature.

I have already read countless prediction pieces by ‘experts’ in journals and websites suggesting that some teams will flourish whilst others will struggle. We have seen ‘big name’ signings by some sides including one located not too far from the Ricoh...

And so for the first home league game last Saturday what changed? Most obviously the playing kit, which seems to have been met with general approval, apart from the attendant risk of being mistaken for a vicar.

Dan Robson celebrates scoring for Wasps against Sale Sharks

There has also been a change in the food franchises and we have number plate recognition in the car park - not sure about that one.

Wasps threw in their usual season ticket curve-ball with the turnstiles failing to recognise the new membership cards, until the fault was rectified.

The game itself was certainly entertaining and Dan Robson’s four tries were a great reminder to Eddie Jones when picking his scrum halves. I also thought the ‘new boys’ did well, especially Gaby Lovobalavu.

But for me, the stand out performers were three old faithfuls. Nathan Hughes was everywhere and caused havoc in the Sale defence, Ashley Johnson just never lets you down and Christian Wade was, well, Christian Wade. A concern was certainly the number of players leaving the field with injuries and some significant missed tackles.

What’s my prediction for Wasps this season? I look forward to another year of fabulous entertainment and who could ask for anything more than that?